Police officer killed, two injured during arrest of alleged rapist in Guyana

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Wednesday March 2, 2016 – A 52-year-old policeman was fatally stabbed yesterday as he and two colleagues were trying to apprehend a rape suspect.

Sergeant Linden Leonard La Rose lost his life while the two other policemen were injured in the incident that occurred around 5:30 p.m.

The three law enforcement officials, who were stationed at Matthews Ridge in the North West District, went to arrest the suspect, Dennis Marks, following allegations that he had sex with a 13-year-old girl.

“During efforts to arrest him, Dennis Marks attacked the ranks with a knife, stabbing Sergeant 16934 Linden La Rose to his neck and two other ranks to their chest and right hand, respectively. He was subsequently shot by a rank to his right foot,” said a statement issued by police.

“Sergeant Linden La Rose was pronounced dead on arrival at the Matthews Ridge Hospital. The police rank who was stabbed to his chest has been admitted to hospital, while the other was treated and sent away. Dennis Marks was also treated and sent away and is in police custody.”

Sergeant La Rose enlisted in Guyana Police Force in 1995.

He is the second policeman in six months to be killed while trying to make an arrest. Last September, Police Constable Antonio Dawson was stabbed to death while trying to take a suspected drug trafficker into custody.